The National University of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM) is organizing from August 02 to 05, 2023, the first edition of the National Entrepreneurship Genius Days (GeNEB) in Benin. In the run-up to the event, which is being hosted by the National Higher Institute of Industrial Technology (INSTI) in Lokossa, the university’s management team held a press conference on Thursday, July 20, to call on all inventors/innovators, investors, business leaders, not forgetting social partners and professional players.
From August 02 to 05, the university of Lokossa will host the first edition of the National Entrepreneurship Genius Days (GeNEB) in Benin. Initiated by UNSTIM Abomey, the theme of this year’s conference is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development Goals”. The aim is to promote the achievements of Benin’s inventors and innovators, to encourage the next generation to become aware of the challenges of development and the important role they have to play in the wealth creation process.
Revealing geniuses
According to Professor Tognon Clotilde Guidi, Director of INSTI Lokossa, “Unstim wants to follow in the footsteps of international universities working for the development of their countries through the achievements and research results of its players”. Gone, then, are the days when students’ achievements were filed away in drawers. From now on, geniuses will be revealed and rewarded
“We have genius: but these geniuses are suffering, because inventions are lying dormant in drawers. Now, more than ever, is the time to bring them out, to show them off. This will enable our university to play its role, to fulfill its social responsibility, which is not only to provide knowledge and training, but above all to reach out to the population to collect their problems, come back to the university, and enter the laboratories to find solutions to the problems identified,” asserted Unstim Rector Professor Djimon Joachim Gbenou.
So, in this new era of new technologies, “GeNEB aims to create a framework where the various players (inventors/innovators, investors and institutions) can exchange ideas, mature thoughts and propose appropriate solutions with a view to making technological innovation a tool for development”, says GeNEB Chairman Ambroise Nsougan.
Agenda
In addition, several activities are planned during the 04 days of the event, with 600 participants expected to take part. These include meetings between inventors, innovators and investors; conference debates, training sessions, round tables, panels and orientation sessions; communication campaigns on inventions by Beninese scientists living in the country and in the diaspora; and exhibitions, not forgetting the presentation of project ideas.
According to the Rector of Unstim, Professor Djimon Joachim Gbenou, “the present activities are in line with the actions of PAG2, especially with regard to its pillar 2 and axis 5, which stipulates that we must restore education, give greater scope to scientific development and vocational training, and promote research and innovation”.
For Professor Amen Abiassi, a university entrepreneurship coach, “the aim of these days is to give young people the opportunity to believe in themselves, because the future lies in projects. And if these projects are driven by young people, we’ve won the battle for development”. This is why he is committed to “working with the various players to set up an incubator. This will enable students with ideas to understand the entrepreneurial process and work to ensure that they start out with a taste for entrepreneurship”.
As a result, the rectoral authority is urging young students and innovators to give their very best, as the inventions will come not only from students at Benin’s public and private universities, but also from the sub-region. A total of fifteen (15) trophies in five (5) fields will be awarded to the best inventions, including a national grand prize and an Unstim grand prize, she announced.
